The Administration supported the Senate-passed provision to extend
the ethanol exemption through the year 2007, and I'm disappointed
that the budget and tax package does not include this important
measure. This program has been a real success; it means thousands of
jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity in this country.

We can't let this crucial program go by the way-side. Too many
farmers, consumers and rural communities need it.

The Administration's legislative proposal on the Intermodal Surface
Transportation and Efficiency Act called for an extension of the
ethanol tax exemption, and we will continue to fight to get this
extension into legislation which may come before Congress later
this year.